Hey everyone, I haven't been a big anime fanatic since high school and decided to jump back into it this year with AB. I'm gonna read the shows descriptions, but they only tell so much and between all the panels, show, events, etc. there's so much to juggle. I just wanna know what you guys think are some must see shows I should work in.

Most of what I would recommend depend entirely on what kinds of shows you like. Do you like romance? slice of life? action? There are many different things that will be showing. So my first question to you is what kinds of shows outside of anime do you enjoy watching? That can give some clues as to what kinds of anime I can recommend.

Azumanga Daioh's a very charming understated-yet-surreal sort of comedy; if you like Adventure Time and FLCL you'd probably like it as well.

If you like Evangelion, I'm certain you're thinking of going to see the 2.22 movie. The 1.11 movie really isn't necessary, being a somewhat ineffective digitally reanimated clipshow of the first six episodes of the series, the biggest difference being that the Angels are CGI, bleed red blood, and there's rainbows everywhere for some reason. 2.22, however, is mind-blowing awesome.

Beyond that, definitely check out Summer Wars. It's one of those movies that will soon become part of that unofficial but universally known list of anime movies ever fan has to see.

Sounds like you are still experimenting with stuff.. I would say take it random and see what you like. Honestly, you ask 100 people what anime they recommend, you will get just as many different answers. Like asking someone what their favorite ice cream flavor is.

When it comes to shows, or anime, there are multiple categories. Usually, when classifying an anime, people use the manga system for classifications, Shojo, Shounen, Seinen, and uh, Josei I think. If you see these terms ever thrown about for anime or manga, don't be afraid, it's just how the japanese like to classify manga, which people then attribute to anime.

Basically Shoujo can be represented by something like Sailor Moon, Shounen can be represented by DragonBallZ and Naruto, Seinen is for adult males, series like Chobits comes to mind, and Josei is for mature women, Paradise Kiss comes to mind.

When you want to know good reccomendations, it's good to know exactly what your fancy is. Like ShadowAgent said, it's kind of like what ice cream flavor you like.

If you don't like romance, you're probably better off with action-orientated manga/anime, such as Durarara!

edit: Judging from the list you posted, it seems like Gurren Lagann and possibly Durarara would be good choices for you

Gurren Lagann is awesome, I've been watching it on Netflix to get in shape for the convention. I can't wait to see the movies there. However, I'm conflicted cause the Tengen Toppa Evangelion panel is happening at the same time as Childhoods End, and the Lights in the Sky Are Stars is on during the Japan's Lost Generation panel. This is gonna be tricky. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Watch Evangelion 1.11 and 2.22 when they show them. 1.11 is actually pretty boring since it's almost the first six episodes of the show beat-for-beat, but it's worth it to set up 2.22, which I absolutely loved even as someone who doesn't really like anime.